Clinic Staff

Sara Bennett Schaffer, PT, MBA

Sara Bennett Schaffer, PT, MBA is the owner of North Texas Physical Therapy, PLLC. She graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Physical Therapy School in 1992 and received her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2003. Most recently she served as Director of Rehabilitation at Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital for the past 8 years.

Sara started her physical therapy career in Houston at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) working with patients with spinal cord injuries and outpatient neurological disorders. She also worked at Herman Sports Medicine in the Houston Medical Center where she helped patients in performance arts and sports injury related diagnoses.

She performed post-graduate studies in orthopedics at the SOMA orthopedic residency program in Austin and has focused on outpatient orthopedics with tissue specific training for athletes, professional dancers, musicians, and geriatrics. Her experience brings a certification in SportsMetrics ACL injury prevention for the athlete. Her most recent certification in ASTYM allows for effective treatment of chronic tendinosis dysfunction.

Sara gives back to the community through guest lectures to the TCU music students on repetitive strain injuries, TCU School of Kinesiology on career planning and Luke's Locker Runner's club on injury prevention. She enjoys teaching balance safety education to senior communities. Her focus on the use of surface-EMG and McConnell taping for neuromuscular reeducation in repetitive strain injuries and post-surgical joints creates the opportunity for patients to achieve their goals. Other areas of emphasis include manual spine therapy for golfers and runners with Lumbar/SI dysfunction.

Sara enjoys golfing, hiking, running, and cycling to remain fit and energized. Her husband Bart and son Austin have played an integral role in the development of a physical therapy private practice.

Kelly Dickerson, MPT

Kelly received as BS in Biology and Exercise Science from University of Texas at Arlington in 2000. She continued her studies at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center receiving a Masters of Athletic Training in 2004 then a Masters of Physical Therapy in 2006. She has spent the last three years practicing in outpatient orthopedic clinic settings. Kelly has developed her orthopedic skills and taken over 300 hours in continuing education courses.

Her hobbies include: playing and watching sports, outdoor activities including skiing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Shannon O'Neal, MPT

Shannon O'Neal, MPT, is a native of Fort Worth. She received her BA in Psychology in 2004 from Washington University in St. Louis. Shannon graduated from Texas Woman's University in the fall of 2006 with her Masters of Physical Therapy. Her graduate course work included clinical internships: John Peter Smith Hospital, Baylor All Saints Hospital, and Health South. Additionally, her graduate thesis included the production manual instructing students in: "Manual Therapy for the Extremities and Spine." Shannon enjoys fine art, drawing, painting, photography, attending Saint Andrew Catholic Church and spending outdoor time with her friends and family: hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing and all other sporting activities that involve places like Possum Kingdom Lake, where she can often be found on the weekends.

Jay Platt, PT, ATC, CSCS

Jay Platt, PT, ATC, CSCS graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Physical Therapy School in 1981 and has extensive experience in orthopedic, sports physical therapy, and manual therapy. Jay was in private practice for 15 years in Richardson, TX and has specialized in the biomechanics of golf, and golf injury rehabilitation since 1995. He established the BACKtoGOLF Performance Center in Austin in 1998, and is an Associated Instructor with BACKtoGOLF Seminars lecturing internationally on the biomechanics of the golf swing, and golf injury rehabilitation. Jay traveled on the PGA TOUR 2006-2009 as a traveling physical therapist with Back9 Tour Services, and has experience working with all levels of golfers.

His hobbies include: golf, cycling, snow skiing, hiking, traveling and spending time with family.

Stacy Tinsley, Coordinator of Client Services

Stacy serves as the coordinator of client services. She has worked for 15 years in the healthcare environment and knows what is important to the patients she serves. She is highly organized and is responsible for scheduling and insurance verification for all patients. Her friendliness and adeptness with coordinating our clients care make her an invaluable member of the NTPT team.

April Shires

April serves as North Texas Physical Therapy Accounts Receivable Coordinator. She is responsible for filing insurance claims and collections. Her experience in the field provides a smooth process to your medical billing questions.